Buttonless bathing suit



A. J. BARNETT BUTTONLESS BATHING SUIT Filed y 2. 1926 Jl ,zL J0 Wt .72 J0 MW .14 6 lxlli WW Patented June 14, 1927.

UNITED ARTHUR J. BARNETT, or NEW YORK, n. Y., ASSIG'NOR To THE woitons'rnR KNITTING 00.,- orwoRcEsTnR, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION orM -ssAcHUsRTTs.

BUTTONLESS BATHING S UIT.

Application filed July 12,4325. Serial No. 121,766g" The principalobject of this invention is to provide a bathing suit, preferably in one piece, so constructed as not to require any button or buttonsor other fastening devices on the shoulder straps. This construction eliminates the possibility of weakeningthe shoulderstraps by using a buttonhole and theloss of the button or fastener, so that the bathingsuit will come down onthe' body.

Other objects are to provide a construction in which the continuousshoulderstraps are combined with a front and back capable of maximumstretching to permit stepping into thefsuit and yet holding it'securelyfin place, to eliminate any stitching across the top interfering with the elasticity laterally; to'

provide the shoulder straps with a strong construction furnished by a three-ply reinforcement and reinforced stitching; and to provide a'constr-uction in which a snug fit is secured and remforced protection for the chest.

Other objects and advantages-of the in vention will appear hereinafter.

Reference is to be had-tothe accompanying drawings, in which I F ig. 1 is a frontview of a one-piece bathing suit constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is an inside view of the upper part of thebathing suit showing theshoulder straps laid out flat from the centers thereof so as to show the construction at this point and illustrating in dotted lines the manner in which the chest and back reinforcements are provided; and

" Fig. 3 'is a View of the top of the garment showing the shoulder straps pulled out so that the wearer can step into it.

It is to'be understood that although in describing this as a bathing suit, the same principle can be employed for underwear or other garments of a similar nature and they straps 10 at the front and back extending in each case to the top and adapted to be secured together at the top by reinforced stitching 11. These shoulder straps are eX- actly alikeon both sides without any buttons or other fastening devices and are sewed permanently across the top by lines of stitchmg. I i

Between the shoulderstrapsthe garment is cut out to form Spaces 12. The material which is cut out of these spaces, as shown in dotted'lines at 13 in Fig. 2, is doubledover alonghorizontal lines 14 and sewedback on the -,inside to form reinforcing flaps on the inside of the back and chest. The seams 15 by which these two layers are secured to the back orchest, as the case may be, are doubled and reinforced, and 111 fact all stitching all over the garment, as in'the arm-holes 16,

is of that character. I

It will be observed, however, that the flaps are secured by the stitching 15 around their edges and that there is no stitching across the top 1 1 ofthe chest or back. This leaves the fabric elastic crossways in its natural condition, not being modified by the fact that there are two thicknesses. These two thicknesses not being sewed together any Where between the rows of stitching 15 retain their elasticity. Therefore the wearer can pull the shoulder straps out nearly to these reinforcements will simply stretch out at the top and leave a wide space into which the wearer is free to step for puttingon the garment. It is to be observed that the garhorizontal position as shown in Fig. 3, and

ment is put on without unbuttoning or unfastening any part of it, and that when it is on it will resume its normal position as shown in Fig. 1. The shoulder straps will stay I in place, not having any fastening means that will come apart and let them down on the shoulders. The stretching of the fabric to put on aud take off the garment does not leave it in a loose condition,

but it will come back to its natural shape.

It will be observed that the shoulder straps where they are held together by stitching are reinforced by a layer of fabric 18 on the inner side which comes under the turned over edges 17 and is all securedby overcasting or any similar form of edge stitching. In this way the material between the shoulder straps is used for an important purpose instead of being Wasted. The garment is constructed in such a way as to insure a perfectly snug fit and yet permit of putting it on in the Way described. The

chest is provided with reinforced protection and the entire garment is provided with double reinforced stitching all around the points mentioned. Furthermore, there is no stitching to prevent the full use of the elasticit v of the fabric at the neck or to start the ripping of the garment when pulling it on or taking it off.

As stated, buttons and other fastening devices are eliminated, thus reducing the cost to some extent. and also the button holes are eliminated, eliminating the possibility of weakening the shoulder straps. This makes it a good garment not only from the wearers standpoint, but also from that of the manufacturer.

Although I have illustrated and described only a single form of the invention, I am aware of the fact that modifications can be made therein by any person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the claims. Therefore, I do not wish to be limited to all the details of construction herein shown and described, but what I do claim is 1. As an article of manufacture, a bathing suit formed of elastic material and having shoulder straps, each consisting of a front and back part sewed together across the top, said suit having a double thickness across the front and back extending to the bottoms of the shoulder straps, and capable of stretching laterally at the neck portion when the shoulder straps are pulled in opposite directions, said double thickness comprising integral portions of the body of the suit each folded upon itself.

As an article of manufacture, a bathing suit of elastic material, having cut out portions forming a neck opening therein and having the parts out from said opening folded back u )011 the body of the suit to form a double thickness integral with said bod), at the front and rear thereof, capable of stretching laterally.

3. As an article of manufacture a bathing suit of elastic material, having two shoulder straps extending up from the front and back and respectively integral therewith. each sewed together at the top by a horizontal seam, and having a double thickness across the front and rear formed by cutting portions of material from between said straps and folding same back upon the body of the suit, whereby to form integral reinforcements at the front and rear.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.

ARTHUR J. l'iA'RNETT. 

